Fitness Journey

In the beginning I was a 206lb "flabalicious" fat guy rapidly approaching the big 3-0. So, how am I doing? Today, about seven months in, I weighed 166.6lbs. Over the holidays I went back up to 178 lbs, but now I am working on reaching my goal of 159 lbs, 7% body fat, and a Ninja Warrior ready body.

As all of you know I’ve dealt with some pretty difficult problems ever since this Sunday. Between my beloved dog going from fully mobile to paralyzed in a matter of a few minutes to a major car repair in progress, this week hasn’t been easy on my head, my heart, or my wallet. [For those want more info: my car in the shop for a pretty major repair: heater core replacement]. Dealing with these issues really knocked me off my game so to speak.

We spent Sunday night at the Animal hospital until a half hour pas midnight- none of us has fully recovered from the combination of stress and a lack of sleep. I probably could have started working out again on Monday but I am still carrying a feeling I can’t fully describe. It feels like my head is in a dense fog and I just can’t seem to walk through it and find a sunny sky (or even a cloudy one that is at least cloud free).

It was just today that I confronted the question, how do I get out of this funk? (more…)

So you want one of those sexy well folded and crinkled brains? You know that ladies find the gray matter between your ears irresistible? And ladies, you know there is nothing hotter than a woman with a well developed cerebellum. As I used to say, when it comes to an intellectual woman I medulla oblon-GOTTA get to know her!

Well since I am no longer single that kind of reasoning doesn’t have much effect on me. But that is fine since I was long ago convinced of the need for a well-developed brain. Sadly that realization came after I wasted my freshman and sophomore years of college far more interested in learning how to meet women (something I was quite successful at) than in the general acquisition of knowledge. However, thanks to a wonderful public speaking professor and the threat of academic suspension (not to mention the loss of financial aid) I got my act together and went from a less than sterling 2.3 g.p.a. to a 3.7 g.p.a. in one semester.

Aside: If only there were as big a market for brain growth pills as for erection enhancers- both would be equally useless, but at least I wouldn’t be so pessimistic about humanity.(more…)

Well the summer is almost over for me- about seven weeks remain. Where does the time go? With so little time left and so much I’ve procrastinated on, it is time to catch up. And there is nothing I love more than cramming 3 months of work into less than half the time. From the marriage of my catching up from procrastination AND my love of extremes comes the latest challenge- “Ten Weeks to a Ripped Body…”

The Goals:

1. Drop 20 lbs in ten weeks.

2. Run a 5k (and finish in the money).

3. Complete 10 minutes of jump rope without pausing.

4. A ripped body (11% body fat or less).

5. Read 25 books on my book list & at least 5 books for each of my classes next semester.

Mykhailo Hrushevsky (1866-1934): Prominent Ukrainian historian. If I spend as much time reading as I expect, I just might look like that.

6. Keep up with my Bible studies 6 days a week.

7. Spend 30 minutes a day studying Spanish.

No. 1 RULE: NO procrastination, NO excuses.

Over the next week (starting Monday) I will post a series of articles on reaching these goals which will help me work through my planning and will hopefully help some of you who have similar goals. I will also keep you updated on my progress over the next ten weeks. So what is the plan? The workout program will be no non-sense; the nutritional plan will be a no frills affair; and the reading will most likely turn me into a hermit. But it is all worth it. The body that is elusively just out of my reach because of about 15-20 lbs of visceral and abdominal fat; the work I’ve failed to complete all summer that is only 30 books away from being complete; and the quiet times I’ve been missing are all only ten weeks away. When you think about it, is ten weeks really all that long? It is practically tomorrow.

I hope you will join me on this 10 week journey of discipline, hard work, and intensity. I could definitely use your feedback, encouragement, and input as I run through the next 2 months. And as always if you have any questions, just ask.

Here is an example of an average day during the typical Two Week Total Transformation. I have also included plenty of links and info for those interested in starting their own stretching or running programs.

7:15 –Stretch. About 10-15 minutes is great for your mind, body, and spirit. I am amazed at how much better my day goes when I start off with a good stretch. It is the small things that change. Your steps seem lighter, picking up those keys you dropped on the floor is easier, and simple twists and turns are easier on the back. The Mayo Clinic offers some great examples (with pictures) for those of us who need the visuals.

It is a place to share how the Lord has convicted you. Whether by his Word, through the voice of a friend or stranger, or whatever means. Share your experiences in the comments section, and I will share (as convictions arise) my own experience.

Solomon is a good example of starting strong and fading away as the race goes on. Tempted by foreign wives and gods, Solomon forgot his roots. Yet, his writing are enormously beneficial to us. Perhaps they are more beneficial to us than they were to him. Why? Because we have the benefit of his knowledge PLUS the hindsight to know how his life turned out.

Solomon’s pursuit of wisdom began pure and righteous:

“Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:7-9.